Mallu Bhatti Promises Irrigation Facility to Every Farmer in Telangana

Nalgonda: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said that irrigation facility would be provided to farmers of erstwhile Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool districts through the Alimineti Madhava Reddy Srisailam Left Bank Canal (AMRP-SLBC) by completing its tunnel works in two years.

Along with ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, he inspected SLBC tunnel at Mannemvaripalli of Chandampet mandal.

Bhatti said the state government was ready to release Rs 14 crore every month for SLBC tunnel works, the requirement estimated by irrigation officials. He directed the officials to prepare a calendar for completion of works of SLBC tunnel, which was being dug under the Amrabad reserve forest, to bring water from the Srisailam reservoir. The government had released Rs 42 crore for repairing the tunnel boring machine.

He said the AMRP-SLBC was the world's biggest gravity canal. When the work was completed, it could provide irrigation to four lakh acres without using pumps. The earlier BRS government’s neglect of the AMRP-SLBC had led to cost escalation to Rs 4,000 crore, he said.

Bhatti asked officials to complete the land acquisition and obtain clearances from the forest department for other lift irrigation schemes in the district. He instructed the officials to complete the lining of Nagarjunasagar project as early as possible.

Irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Cabinet would approve a revised estimate of Rs 4,400 crore. Funds for tunnel works would also be extended to the agency as early as possible. He instructed the irrigation secretary to review the works of Dindi lift irrigation schemes every week.

He underlined the need to take up SLBC tunnel drilling works from both sides for its early completion.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said he had requested the Chief Minister to accord priority to the Bunadigani, Pilaipalli and Dharma Reddy canals through which irrigation can be provided to farmers throughout the year on gravity basis. He said that land acquisition for irrigation projects would also be sped up.

Minister for roads and buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy directed officials to complete the repair of fourth motors of SLBC high level canal within three days.

Legislative Council chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy suggested the state government fill Gottimukkala and Singarajupally reservoir which would help in improving ground water level in the area.